Are vaccines dangerous? What's more risky? To question everything and do the research, or to blindly follow?
Jenny McCarthy may not be the most sparkly spokesperson for encouraging parents to question standard vaccine protocols, but I'm still thankful for what she's done to raise awareness on the issue. So when I read this article announcing Jenny's new job at ‘The View', which came complete with a jumbo dose of ‘you're stupid if you don't vaccinate your child to the HILT‘ judgments, I got a tad bit steamed.
Click here to read the article and see if you want to throw something, too.
In one of the statements that riled me up, the author wrote:
“Giving a job on The View to a anti-vaccine celebrity sends a dangerous message about public health and science in general.”
And what dangerous message is that?
That we should question everything? That it's important to do your research before allowing anything to be injected into your child? Is that actually more dangerous, or is not doing those things more dangerous? If you really think about it, which is the more intelligent response?
Another blurb that got me going:
And there's a bigger problem. To say that you can simply shrug off differences about medical fact as “outrageousness” or “controversy” is to feed the belief that science in general, be it vaccines or climate change or evolution, is simply subjective: you have your truth and I have mine. But we don’t. The Earth didn’t revolve around the sun only for Galileo.
WHICH science or medical fact is he talking about?!
It really doesn't take a whole lot of common sense to know that “science” and “medical fact” are highly influenced by the funding source of that particular scientific research. I thought this was common knowledge?
Yes truth is truth, that I agree with.
But not when it's skewed by money, as most things are. Unfortunately figuring out where the truth lies is a bigger challenge these days than ever, but throwing our hands up and blindly trusting the medical community certainly isn't the answer.
Instead it takes a lot of prayer, a lot of common sense, and a lot of time digging and researching.
This is why many do just blindly follow. I'm reminding myself not to judge anyone for that because it's not easy. But those of us who put in the time and then challenge the system shouldn't be judged either. (I think that'll be my new line for whenever I'm confronted on any of my foodie or health freak choices: “I don't judge you for blindly following, so don't judge me for researching and bucking the system.” Maybe not… I guess that still sounds judgmental.)
And besides, there is science supporting the fact that vaccines are not always safe. Here is a large catalogue of the science compiled to date that explores vaccine injuries. Here's another neat link on the same site where they put together a PDF of all the science references so you don't have to follow all the links: Click here for that.
If you want to learn more, you can get The Greater Good movie here, which is a huge eye-opener.
By the way, here's another good book on the topic: A Shot in the Dark.
So does all of this mean that I personally recommend not vaccinating your kids?
Absolutely not. There's too much I don't know. I do, however, strongly, implore you to not blindly follow me or your doctor or anyone when your child's health is on the line. Don't be lazy, make the time to do your research. A good place to start would be my list of posts on the vaccine issue where you can read about the decisions we came to, and what led us there. Keep in mind that if we had another child today, I don't think we'd make the same decisions, but I do know that we'd be researching it to death all over again.
One of Jenny's books titled, Mother Warriors, says it all. That's what we need to be in order to take on the system. Call me the crazy one if you want, and believe me you won't be the first, but now that I know how broken the system is and that we must question everything and not blindly follow anyone, I can't go back.
More:
- Vaccine Lawyer Speaks Out – There is *Extensive* Corruption
- Confessions of a Vaccine Researcher
- Because I want you to know both sides: Why many still vaccinate
(Top photo: Victoria Will/Invision/AP)
Katherine says
Mercola came out with an article this morning about checking and testing your newborn’s gut flora and immune system prior to vaccinating. I can get on board with that. Can you child’s body handle the vaccinations? If yes, then ok, I might be more inclined to do some vaccinations. If no, then I would definitely focus on improving the child’s immune system. Because if immunity is the problem–there are many other things to be worried about other than vaccinations!
KitchenKop says
Makes sense to me…
But I’d still do the research before anything was injected into my child. That’s a good place to start, though…
Kelly
Jaime says
*could* prove me wrong… 😛
Jaime says
I have a science degree (granted, this doesn’t make me a scientist) but my favourite science quote of all time is from Einstein who said- “A million experiments will never prove me right. A single experiment would prove me wrong.” It seems only people with no science background ever use the term “scientific fact”. Anyone who has studied any science know that scientists have a “current belief based on available information at the time”. These beliefs do, and SHOULD, continue to evolve as more information is brought to life. I believe that everyone should question and adjusts their own beliefs based on the information that has been brought to light.
kricket says
I know there are two sides to every story, and that’s why I’d like remind you of an earlier time when my uncle nearly died of polio. My grandmother sobbed tears of joy when she took her other small children to the nearby school to receive a dose of vaccine. My feelings PERSONALLY are that vaccines are a blessing, and the very small risks associated with them are worth the huge benefits.
Tyranny says
CDC Admits it could have given 10-30 Million SV40 cancer causing virus in the contaminated polio vaccine. Cached Here: https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:8pUR6KX_Vq8J:www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/updates/archive/polio_and_cancer_factsheet.htm+cdc+polio+cancer+fact+sheet&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca
KitchenKop says
Kricket,
That’s why it’s good for everyone to have their own choice in the matter.
However, did you know that the incidence of polio had been on a big decline *before* the vaccine came into play? Here’s a chart that shows it: https://www.vaclib.org/basic/polio.htm
Take care,
Kelly
Hal says
According to that chart, the rate of death from polio was on the decline. The rate of infection, on the other hand, did not decline until the introduction of the vaccine.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/polio.pdf
KitchenKop says
Hal, here’s what Leslie said… (Filmmaker for The Greater Good Movie)
“The INCIDENCE of polio was 5.5 per 100,000 in 1912, 3.1 in 1915, 2.2 in 1920, 5.3 in 1925, 7.5 in 1930, 8.5 in 1935, 7.4 in 1940 10.3 in 1945 i.e. very low and stable for many decades. It then rocketed up in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s peaking out at 37.2 per 100,000 in 1952. During the same time period the incidence of all other diseases was on the decline so the question is why did polio behave differently? The answer is that widespread use of toxic pesticides such as arsenic and DDT began to be used and they cause neurological damage with symptoms similar to polio. Another interesting point to consider is that most diseases break out in winter months but polio seemed to erupt in summer – at the same time folks were spraying their yards with this toxic garbage.
When the vaccine was introduced the incidence rate had already declined from its high because we had started to phase out the use of these toxic chemicals. It is noteworthy that nations that did not use the polio vaccine saw the same decline in incidence of “polio” the same as that seen in the US. It is also very important to know that simultaneous with introduction of the polio vaccines, the diagnostic criteria were changed thereby making it look like cases of polio had plummeted. Before the vaccine was introduced, polio, aseptic meningitis and coxsackie virus were all pooled together but after the vaccine, they were separated out. In addition, before the vaccine, a patient had to have paralysis for only 24 hours to be diagnosed with paralytic polio but afterwards it was 60 days and required lab test to confirm. This is hardly ethical or honest but it is indeed what happened therefore making it look like the polio vaccine was very effective.”
Colleen says
Hey Kel! It all seems a little too pat and perfect. She has been speaking out against vaccines for years and years and now all of a sudden she’s pro-vaccination??? Sounds like money talking to me. That points at no credibility whatsoever! And I am always leery when people try too hard to push their views and opinions out as “the answer”. Something in the realm of “the lady doth protest too much me thinks…”
KitchenKop says
Hi Colleen!
What am I missing? Did she say somewhere that she’s pro-vax? From what I’ve always seen, she has encouraged parents to take it slow and research it all. Has she come out and said something different?
Kel
Jennie says
Dear Mr/Mrs Troll, Please return to your cave and cease with the disparaging remarks on any site you can find that espouses any ideas that do not support Big Pharm, who is probably paying you to make these remarks. You do not add to the discussion. And on my computer, I invite bloggers into my inbox. I’ve never had an unwanted interloper. Maybe you need to change settings, you know, the one that searches for any anti-vaccine references.
IFLSmom says
When you say “digging and researching” do you mean making observations, coming up with possible explanations and then trying to disprove them with a well-designed experiment that measures facts? Or do you mean Googling sites like Mercola and other like-minded anti-vaccination fans that have published thousands of pages of passionate words about their beliefs, opinion or feelings. Not a shred of measurement or fact. Who are you and why are you in my inbox?
And I happen to think that Jenny IS the sparkliest anti-vaxer: eye-catching and noticeable, happy to babble on charmingly about…to put it nicely, stuff she feels in her heart, or guts, or wherever content free of critical thinking comes from.
She is dangerous because she appeals to the mama bear instincts of naive new moms ands tells them: these bad guys want to hurt your baby. Critical thinking flies out the window.
Tyranny says
Anyone interested can find a ton of more info here. https://www.vacfacts.info/the-vaccine-damage—science.html There is also some more info here. https://www.ageofautism.com/science/
Government vaccine compensation payouts prove autism link
The federal government has been publicly denying any link between autism and vaccines for over two decades, while it has quietly been paying out damages for vaccine injury to children with autism, a study released May 10th shows. The study underscores the need for Congressional hearings and independent scientific research into the connection between autism and vaccines. …
https://www.naturalnews.com/032423_vaccine_compensation_program_brain_injury.html#ixzz2IPuV3imD
For more ‘case closed, any questions’ documented evidence that vaccines can be a direct link to autism, do the research on these links:
https://www.naturalnews.com/GoogleSearchResults.html?q=Vaccine+court+acknowledges+link+between+vaccines+and+autism&cx=010579349100583850635%3Aw_kzwe9_yca&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8&sa.x=53&sa.y=25
Here is what they know by Christina England of Vac Truth. Video links are at the end of the article. https://vactruth.com/2013/07/04/vaccination-causes-autism/ Where are all the Autistic adults? https://vaccineliberationarmy.com/2013/04/22/where-are-all-the-adult-autism-cases/ But Don’t worry!!!
You Knew It Was Coming…First Vaccine Announced For Autism
A first-ever vaccine created by University of Guelph researchers to control autistic symptoms is here. The medical propaganda matrix has once again come full circle with their patented problem-reaction-solution. Although there is no study which directly links vaccines as the cause of autism, there have been hundreds of others with correlations. Even if scientists are dismissive on the causation front, why do they continue to explore methods which are misinformed, misguided and completely ineffective?
https://preventdisease.com/news/13/042513_You-Knew-It-Was-Coming-First-Vaccine-Announced-For-Autism.shtml
Jo-Lynne {Musings of a Housewife} says
I still don’t know where I stand on vax. But I’m happy to see an alternative side represented. This comment cracks me up:
To say that you can simply shrug off differences about medical fact as “outrageousness” or “controversy” is to feed the belief that science in general, be it vaccines or climate change or evolution, is simply subjective: you have your truth and I have mine. But we don’t. The Earth didn’t revolve around the sun only for Galileo.
Really? That argument doesn’t usually work so well for conservative Christians. Nuff said.
Pat... says
So she has basically sold out to get a paycheck???
Jeanmarie says
Also, BTW I just tried this link and it’s no good: “Here is a large catalogue of the science complied to date that explores vaccine injuries.” Apparently they made changes at their website. I think this is the correct one now: https://www.greatergoodmovie.org/learn-more/science/
Jeanmarie says
Nice post, Kelly. I like how you don’t tell anyone else what their vaccine policy should be. You just urge people to study the issue carefully and decide for themselves. You show a lot more faith in ordinary people than the experts that are all aghast about Jenny McCarthy joining The View.
I’ve done extensive research from both sides, or make that all sides, of this issue, and I can’t come to a 100% certain conclusion. I’m almost glad I don’t have children so I don’t have to make this decision. I don’t know what it says that I don’t vaccinate any chicks hatched here, but the chicks I buy from the feed store are (I assume) vaccinated for Marek’s disease. I haven’t had any problems with the chicks hatched here. My only chickens to die from Marek’s were ones that I brought from elsewhere. I concentrate on providing a healthful diet and environment for my chickens. We have also not kept up with supposedly necessary vaccines for our dogs and cats. Maybe we’re just lazy! (And poor.)
Of course the issue for parents is infinitely more serious and complicated. I am skeptical of the current vaccine schedule, to say the least, but I guess I’m not quite able to be convinced that *all* vaccines are a bad idea for all children. I got some vaccinations as a kid, I got some childhood diseases and lived through them (mumps, measles, chicken pox, German measles).
All I know for sure is that I thank heaven that I discovered the Weston A. Price Foundation and Real Food in time to reverse some of my own health issues. My own doctor, Tom Cowan of the WAPF board, cautions about short-circuiting the body’s immune systems with vaccines. He also avoids a dogmatic approach.
So anyway, thanks for bringing attention to this issue without being dogmatic either way.
Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama says
“The Earth revolves around the sun” — that is a fact. It just is. It stands alone, it affects no one and everyone and no one can change it.
“Vaccinations are right for everyone” — that is an opinion. All humans are individuals and no medical treatment is right for all. Somehow they have forgotten that. We aren’t born “vaccine deficient” after all. We don’t require them for survival (though they try hard to convince us otherwise).
I’m tired of the low-brow personal insults. Sigh.
Leah G says
Amen ! Kate. My own family poo poo’s me on our choice to not vaccinate. My father tells me to look at the CDC but I ask how can a GOVT entity give non biased info? Everyone should research on their own and stop blindly following the pharmaceutical industry God did not make us to fall victim to illness. He made us to thrive.
Mom Worrior says
I’ve been following McCarthy practically from her photo cover belly shot on some dippy pharma rag in the OB office. My vaccine injured son is about 2 years behind hers so by the time she was hitting Oprah w/ her REALITY CHECK, which by the way she never HAD TO DO, I had finally figured out my own son heading down that road. Fortunately in my case, my Pediatrician broke protocol at 9 mos. (solely based on the fact my infant was falling off the growth charts and physically regressing) and suggested we hold on further vaccines until his speech came in.
Sadly, that was his shining moment because as I continued to require his “services” with the cascade of ill health concerns, all I got was a “sorry about your luck” and a ticket to the system of nothingness: Lots and lots of “therapy” which btw did very little but drain my bank acct. and loose me my career. When I had enough of the idiotic-illogical and collusively corrupt therapy-only approach, I learned about a whole host of untreated real medical RED FLAGS that had been completely and totally dismissed by the plethora of mainstream, do nothing sheep in white coats. They were good at one thing and one thing only… wasted my time, ok two things…they were/are exceptional at billing.
There is a core group of highly paid medical MD’s behind the movement to crush anyone who dares to suggest we take a more critical and cautious approach to this historically flawed practice called vaccination. The MOST IMPORTANT decision a new mother/father has to make is imo based on my experience, vaccination. My family, my body and my choice. PERIOD.
Adele Culp says
Here is a post written by someone who considers himself liberal:
I have never watched this show, but for them to hire a porn star who makes idiotic comments about science speaks volumes about the quality of programming. I have seen some of her comments concerning vaccines, and the woman is beyond stupid.
We, as a society, has stooped to name calling rather than evidenced based arguments and discussion. We all lose.
Mountain Man says
Adele, you obviously do not know what a porn star is. Yes, she posed in Playboy magazine–not much different from the Victoria Secrets catalog. Are they all porn stars too? If so, you have a VERY conservative standard. You probably do whatever a man in a white coat tells you to do without question. Jenny McCarthy appears to me to be an intelligent mother who fiercely guards and loves her child. I wish more people were like her.
Zoe says
Adele was quoting someone else to make the point that ad hominem is not the way to successful debate.
Mountain Man says
You’re right Zoe. Thanks for pointing that out. I had about 30 seconds before I left for work in a rush and didn’t fully read it. I’m a Bozo. Apologies to Adele. She didn’t say where the “liberal” posted. Still a bit confusing.
Give ’em hell Jenny.
AnnMarie Deis says
In 2009 when H1N1 was rampant, my son was enrolled in a toddler-and-mom class.We went once a week for 1.5 hours and the children interacted while moms ininteracted as well. I remember clearly that there was a mom who asked me if my son had been vaccinated and I said no. She vollied back with “Why?” accompanied with a horrified expression. I stood there speechless. I had simply never been asked that before. If I were to be asked today, I would volly back “Well, why did you?” A few moments after I stammered, in my early days of why I was halting immunizations for the time being, she led her daughter away from my son. Two fellow moms had witnessed the entire thing and came over to quietly tell me that they had chosen not to get the shot, either. That same judging mom complained for the next three weeks that her daughter had a rumny nose and joint pain. I don’t know if it was connected or not, but I never spoke with her again.
We live in a very egocentric society. Most people are more concerned with what pattern to put on their fingernails than what ingredients to put in their bodies let alone to do the research on social issues. It’s disturbing.
ValerieH says
much ado about nothing. I’m pretty sure she isn’t allowed to say anything against vaccines on that show. The article is creating controversy for attention.
Christina says
Wonderful post!!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts – I truly believe in questioning everything; especially so after becoming a mother. 🙂
Melissa @ Dyno-mom says
It all boils down to the right to disagree in this country and how it has been lost. One of the goals of the founding fathers was to provide protection from the oppression of the majority. Jenny McCarthy has, apparently, only a right to her opinions if they align with majority opinion. And, for the record, it makes me want to throw something, too.